In the first bill With 40 votes in favor and 15 against deputies approved the bill to regulate strikes in Costa Rica.

Some of the most important points of this project are:

-It defines which are considered “essential services“, where strikes are NOT allowed.

-Salaries are suspended on the first day of any strike. If the strike is declared legal by a court of law, then the employer will have to recognize the amounts pending to be paid.

-Strikes protesting public politics will be allowed only if these directly affect economic and social interests of the workers, and even then, these movements cannot exceed 48 hours.

-Education is not considered an essential service, it is classified as a special service and strikes will be allowed in this sector for a maximum 21 consecutive days or 10 intermittent days.

-It aims to speed up the ruling of the court of law when it comes to the “legality” or “illegality” of a strike, giving judges 72 hours to resolve. It also establishes that a same group cannot go on strike repeatedly for a same reason.

-It establishes the rules and steps to dissolve a labor union.

-Protests that include roadblocks are Not considered pacific movements.

The bill still requires an approval on second debate which will take place this Thursday, September 5.